President Bajram Begaj decreed on Friday the date of the local elections. According to the president’s decree, local elections will be held on 9 May 2027.
The decision follows consultations the head of state held earlier in the day with political parties, in which only representatives of the Socialist Party and Tom Doshi’s Social Democratic Party took part. Opposition parties collectively refused the President’s invitation.
In a statement distributed to the media, the President called on political entities to take part in the elections with alternatives and candidates, guaranteeing a fair, competitive process in line with democratic standards.
The 2027 local elections are expected to be the first held under the new territorial division with 46 municipalities, which was approved only with the votes of the majority.
Media statement
Tirana, 30 October 2026
Today, the President of the Republic decreed 9 May 2027 as the date for the local government elections. According to the Electoral Code, the elections must be held within the spring electoral period, which includes four Sundays between 15 April and 15 May.
To set the election date, the President of the Republic invited for consultation all political forces represented in the Assembly of Albania and the State Election Commissioner as representative of the body responsible for elections in Albania. The Parliamentary Group of the Socialist Party, the Social Democratic Party and the State Election Commissioner responded to the consultation invitation. The other entities preferred to stay away from the consultation, and did not make public any party preference regarding the election date.
The entities involved in the consultation were open to every option. The Commissioner suggested 9 May 2027, the last day of the calendar, reasoning that this date gives more time for implementing measures. The Social Democratic Party also prefers this date.
The date of 9 May 2027 is not linked to any reservation or prejudice favoring certain parties or any potentially harmful influence on the free and uninfluenced will of voters. Under these conditions, the President of the Republic gave legal force to 9 May 2027.
On this occasion, the President of the Republic invites political entities to take part in the elections with alternatives, platforms and candidates worthy of this fundamental democratic process; the parties should conduct a fair, committed and loyal competitive process, respect the legal framework and equality of arms with distinct awareness, and cooperate without reservation with the CEC to carry out an exemplary process in line with the highest standards for a democratic society.
